Game Day: No. 14 Southeastern at Faulkner

#14 Southeastern University Fire (4-1, 1-0 MSC Sun) at Faulkner University Eagles (4-2, 2-0 MSC Sun)
2:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 p.m. Central—Billy D. Hilyer Stadium
Montgomery, Ala.  
 
Tickets
General admission seating 
Adults - $15, Kids 5 and under are free!

Game Coverage
Live Video    Live Stats
Game Notes    SEU         
Two-Deeps        SEU       Faulkner
 
Last year's trip to Faulkner marked an important milestone in Fire football history.
 
Southeastern returned to the site of its first game in program history, one they lost 45-24, and left with its first win over a ranked opponent, taking down the No. 19 Eagles 10-6.
 
Faulkner QB Clayton Nicholas, who passed for 376 yards and five touchdowns in his first career start at Victory Field in 2015, was picked off three times and sacked five. This year, the Bowling Green State transfer ranks 11^th in the nation in pass efficiency (163.7) and total passing yards (1,728), and is 12^th in passing per game at 288.
 
Traditionally, the Eagles have been known for their offense, but boast an exceptional defense in 2017, leading the nation in sacks with 28, and are fourth in the nation against the pass, holding teams to an average of 152.7 yards per game through the air.
 
Southeastern defensively rank fifth in the Mid-South Conference in scoring (22.4), and fourth in total defense (305.2). Last week, the Fire defense held Warner to 16 first downs and just 207 total yards in a 55-14 win.
 
The ground game was virtually unstoppable against Warner, racking up 373 yards at 6.3 per carry, and six rushing scores. Through five games, the Fire have rushed for 1,701 yards, which is third in the nation. SEU's 340.2 rushing yards per game is second in the NAIA.
 
To be successful on the ground, a solid offensive line is a must. Up front, the Fire start three five-year players, a redshirt sophomore, and a redshirt junior. That group has given up the fewest sacks in the NAIA at three, and has helped set the tone for an offense that leads the nation in first downs per game at 30.8.
 
Both teams come in with unbeaten marks in Sun Division play, with the winner holding the advantage to winning the first division title.